Seattle's Most Walkable Neighborhoods

You don't need a car in most of the residential neighborhoods in the Emerald City. It's one of the most walkable places to live in the USA. However, even in this pedestrian-friendly town, one place stands out: Downtown Seattle.

The whole downtown area is completely walkable and incredibly well serviced by public transit. You can also bike or skate easily. One of the best things about living in this area of Seattle is how many different cultures are packed into such a small area — each neighborhood in the city center has its own unique character.

1. Pioneer Square

Deep history and world-class venues come together in the city's oldest neighborhood. Pioneer Square is a sports-lover's dream, with CenturyLink Field and the recently renamed T-Mobile Park just steps away from the premier buildings in the area.

2. West End

The West End is basically synonymous with Pike Place market, but there's more to explore. Check out Daily Dozen Donuts and the original Starbucks for a winning combination in the morning. In the evening, you'll have plenty of options to enjoy the nightlife on and around newly redeveloped waterfront.

3. Belltown

Belltown, Seattle, is getting hipper by the minute. New developments, plenty of cool boutiques and cutting-edge restaurants just accelerate the process. This is the place to be if you want an updated, urban vibe.

4. South Lake Union

You can't talk about SLU without mentioning Amazon. Anyone who works for the tech giant will probably want to consider this area just for the sake of convenience. There are also various unique cutting-edge Amazon-related neighborhood amenities, such as cashierless stores.

Bonus: The Whole Downtown

The little neighborhoods make the downtown area exciting, but they also make buying in this category of Seattle real estate a bit of a challenge. Understanding each micro-district's quirks and perks goes a long way. Another strategy is to split the difference by buying near the borders — in Insignia on the border of Belltown and SLU, for example. Check out all that Seattle has to offer by browsing our interactive building directory.